Owning a cat is a privilege for anyone who loves animals. When it comes to having one of the rarest cat breeds in the world as your best friend and sidekick, dreams can come true. This is the case with the Khao Manee. This cat breed is naturally occurring and originated in Thailand. They were kept secret for hundreds of years until Thailand declared them a protected species. In 1999, Thailand allowed the Khao Manee to be sent to the United States. The purpose was to start a breeding program so these amazing cats could flourish.
The Khao Manee is an all-white cat with jeweled eyes. Many people call them “Diamond Eye.” The eye color of these cats is either golden or blue. You’ll also find that many are born with an eye of each color. In their homeland of Thailand, these cats are seen as royalty and are even thought to bring good luck.
Considering the beauty and rarity of the Khao Manee, it’s understandable that these highly intelligent and playful felines are quite expensive. With them being almost exclusively purchased from breeders, you can expect to pay between $7,000 and $11,000 for one of these cats.
Luckily, other than the one-time purchase fee, caring for and maintaining one of these cats monthly isn’t mind-blowing when it comes to cost. Let’s break down what you can expect when a Khao Manee lives in your home, so you can be prepared if you choose to own one of these amazing cats.
Bringing Home a New Khao Manee: One-Time Costs
Other than the initial cost of your Khao Manee, there are other expenses you’ll need to expect before your kitten comes home for the first time. Cats need certain necessities like high-quality cat food, a litter box, litter, a cat bed, a collar, and ID tags. Some of these necessities are a one-time purchase, while others will become a recurring need for your kitty each month.
Free
If your heart is set on a Khao Manee, don’t expect one for free. This cat breed is extremely rare and considered quite new to the United States. Even if you know someone who has a Khao Manee and plans on having kittens or rehoming their kitty, the likelihood of getting your hands on one for free is minimal.
Adoption
- $2,500–$11,000
Khao Manees are considered breeder-exclusive cats. For this reason, finding them in your local animal shelter or cat rescue is next to impossible. If you live in an area with access to a cattery, you may luck up and find a Khao Manee there. You should still expect to pay an expensive fee to bring one home.
Breeder
- $7,000–$11,000
The Khao Manee is easily one of the rarest and most expensive cat breeds in the world. Due to this, you can expect to pay between $7,000 and $11,000. Considering the major expense associated with these pure-white cats, make sure you work with a reputable breeder if bringing one into your home fits into your budget. When you contact the breeder, ask to see the cattery and meet the kitty’s parents. This will help you know you are working with a reputable breeder. You should also expect to get a health certificate to show that your Khao Manee is in good health.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $150–$400
When you first bring a Khao Manee into your home, there are items and supplies your kitty will need to be happy and healthy. Many of these items are a one-time cost, but keep in mind that some things may need to be replaced over time or as your cat grows.
List of Khao Manee Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $15 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50–$500 |
| X-Ray Cost | $150–$250 |
| Ultrasound Cost | $250–$500 |
| Microchip | $45–$55 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $150–$300 |
| Bed | $10–$30 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $7 |
| Brush (optional) | $8 |
| Litter Box | $25 |
| Litter Scoop | $10 |
| Toys | $30 |
| Carrier | $40 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 |
How Much Does a Khao Manee Cost Per Month?
- $40–$250 per month
The monthly costs of caring for a Khao Manee can average between $40 and $250. This price includes food, treats, toys, medical care, and other necessities to keep your kitty happy. With the high energy levels of this cat breed, you may be surprised by how much you want to spoil them with toys and fun.
Health Care
- $50–$200 per month
After bringing a Khao Manee into your home, you should expect to pay a bit for their routine checkup and any vaccinations they still need. Once that is taken care of, you’ll find yourself mostly paying for monthly needs like flea-and-tick treatments or heartworm medications. You should also remember that your cat will need to visit the veterinarian annually to make sure they stay in tip-top shape.
Food
- $20–$50 per month
Your Khao Manee needs to be fed high-quality cat food to help keep it healthy. For this reason, you can easily expect to spend $20–$50 per month on your Khao Manee’s food. Whether this food is wet, dry, or a combination of both is up to you. However, high-quality cat food is going to be more expensive than generic brands. By using better-quality cat food, though, you can help keep your cat in the best health, which potentially means fewer trips to the veterinarian.
Grooming
- $30–$70 per month
Grooming a cat can be difficult. The Khao Manee has a soft coat that you can care for yourself by brushing once or twice a week. However, kitties also need occasional baths, nail trims, ear cleanings, and more. If you want to avoid taking on these tasks yourself, reaching out to a groomer is your best option. Visits to the groomer should happen every 4 to 6 weeks and normally cost between $30–$70, according to the area where you live.
Medications and Vet Visits
- $50–$60 per month
Not every cat will visit the vet monthly or be on routine medications. If your Khao Manee does require extra care, you should expect the costs to fall into the $50–$60 price range. Keep in mind that as cats age, they may need more veterinarian care or additional medications. You should factor this in when you decide to bring one of these cats, or any pet, into your home. You can also speak to a vet from the comfort of your own home to help make a plan and determine when a in-clinic vet visit should be made.
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Pet Insurance
- $10–$40 per month
Pet insurance isn’t a necessity but it can come in handy when you’re caring for an animal. When purchasing this type of insurance, you’ll find that cat insurance is much cheaper than that for a dog. Since Khao Manees are so expensive to begin with, pet insurance can help cover the cost of unexpected health problems that may arise over the course of your cat’s life. With so many insurance options available, you’ll find that prices range between $10 and $40 per month. If pet insurance is something you plan on purchasing, you should also know that costs can increase as your cat ages.
Environment Maintenance
- $20–$40 per month
With a cat in the home, certain things are needed each month. Litter, deodorizing sprays, litter box liners, and even cardboard scratchers are among the most needed.
| Litter box liners | $8–$20/month |
| Deodorizing spray or granules | $15/month |
| Cardboard Scratcher | $8/month |
Entertainment
- $15–$40 per month
Entertainment for your Khao Manee is where you could easily spend more than you expect. These cats are extremely playful and highly intelligent. This means they need a lot to keep their minds engaged. On average, you can expect to spend $15 to $40 per month on toys and activities for your kitty. You may find yourself opting to purchase a monthly subscription box for your kitty to ensure they get new, fun toys as often as possible.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Khao Manee
- $40–$250 per month
Caring for a Khao Manee can range between $40 and $250 per month. This price can vary depending on whether you choose to carry pet insurance, how often your kitty needs to visit the veterinarian, and whether you spoil your cat with too many toys. High-quality cat food, flea-and-tick treatments, and even heartworm medication are expenses you should expect each month to help keep your cat in the best health possible.
Additional Costs to Factor In
When caring for a Khao Manee or any pet, you should expect surprise costs to pop up occasionally. If you need to leave home for a business trip or plan on going away for vacation, you may need to pay for boarding for your kitty. If this isn’t an option, you may find yourself paying a friend or family member to come over. This ensures your kitty is well-fed, played with, and given a clean litter box throughout the day.
Unfortunately, medical emergencies can arise. Your kitty may develop an allergy after trying a specific food, swallow something they shouldn’t, or even injure themselves. When this happens you can expect to pay extra at the veterinarian as emergency care is far more expensive.
Owning a Khao Manee on a Budget
The biggest cost associated with these cats is the one-time price of purchasing one from a breeder. While you may search shelters and rescues, the likelihood of finding a Khao Manee in these places is minimal. Since you can’t save money on the purchase price, finding ways to lower your monthly budget is your best bet. Using quality food for your Khao Manee will reduce the likelihood of trips to the vet. You can also find do-it-yourself ideas for cat toys, cat trees, and even beds online to save money.
Saving Money on Khao Manee Care
Taking on a few tasks yourself can help you save money on your Khao Manee’s needs. Make your own toys and perches. You can even sign up for automatic recurring shipping for supplies like litter and food to get discounts. Choosing pet insurance is another great way of saving money. You may pay for it monthly, but the assistance that it provides when an emergency arises is quite helpful.
Conclusion
If owning a rare and beautiful Khao Manee is a dream of yours, you need to be prepared. The initial cost of these cats can range between $2,500 and $11,000, depending on where you find one. Luckily, once the kitty is in your care, keeping them happy and healthy doesn’t have to destroy your budget. You can find several ways to help you save money while still providing your Khao Manee with everything they need.
Featured Image Credit: ne_photo, Shutterstock
